Esteban Szmulewicz speaks at online seminar organised by International IDEA and CED (Chile)
On 18 January, Esteban Szmulewicz, a PhD candidate at the Department of Constitutional and Administrative Law, spoke on the following theme at an online seminar: 'Comments on the International IDEA report: the state of democracy in the world and the Americas in 2023. New checks and balances'.
The report introduces the idea of new institutions and mechanisms for checks and balances in the midst of challenges concerning integrity, accountability and the rule of law in various countries across the world. It also specifically focuses on the Americas, where there is a positive degree of representation and participation, but where the rule of law and separation of powers remain a challenging issue.
Szmulewicz's comments focused on the concepts and measurement of the 'new checks and balances' as defined by the report, highlighting the advantages and challenges to democratic legitimacy and accountability that the concept poses. He also addressed the problems for the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary in several countries and the critical role that political parties play as vehicles for channelling representation and deliberation and improving parliaments' effectiveness and salience.
Click here for the English version of the report.
Click here to view the recording of this session, including questions and a closing debate.